Edenbourge neere vnto which is a fountaine that carieth an oyle which being not takē off doth not increase being taken off doth not diminish Many other strange things there are in this place as in Lenox there is a Lake called Loumond wherein fishes liue without finnes and in which the waues are sometimes most boistrous in the calmest weather most milde in the most tempestuous weather In this Lake there is also a fruitfull Iland which floteth vp and downe vpon the water In the Prouince of Coile there is a stone not aboue 13. foot in height which if a Canon be shot off on the one side he which is on the other cannot heare it The Apendices which belong vnto both England Scotland are first the Orcades being in number 30. the inhabitants of which are great drinkers but no drunkards The next is the I le of Man wherein is the mountaine Schesil vpon whose top if any one stand he may discerne both England Scotland and Ireland Many other little Ilands there are all which with the rest are subiect vnto the most mightie and puissant King of Great Brittainie INSVLAE AZORES 10 THe Azores or Canary Ilands are seuen frō whence Azores commeth great store of Woade and Canarie Wines 1 The chiefe and most renowned Ilands in all olde writers of the Medeterranean Sea are nine Insulae Baliares Corsica Sardinia Scicilie Malta Corsyra Ischia Zazinthus and Candia INSVLAE BALIORES 2 INsulae Baliores are diuided into Maiorica in which Raimundus Insula Baliores Lullius that excellent Scholler liued and into Minorica The inhabitants of both which are very strong and expert slingers CORSICA 3 COrsica is an Iland which doth produce Horses of a Corsica fierce nature and Hounds of a wonderfull bignes The Inhabitants of this I le are verie rude and vnciuill SARDINIA 4 SArdinia famous for the occasion of that great warre Sardinia betwixt Carthage and Rome is now subiected vnto the King of Spaine The chiefe and Metropolitane citie is Cagliarie seated vpon a high mountaine In this Countrey there is a beast called Mufiono of whose skinne is made a Leather called Cordiuan or as we tearme it Spanish Leather There is also an hearbe which if any one eate it will enforce him to laugh till hee dye from whence commeth the Prouerbe Risus Sardonichus DE SCICILIA 5 SCicilie is a land whose inhabitants are very good soldiers Scicilie desirous much of honour and wherein is and haue beene many excellent Schollers such as were Euclide Archimedes Diodorus Siculus and many others This Countrey is very fertill and fruitfull abounding so much in corne that it was once called Horeum Romarorum the Store-house of the Romans In this I le is also the Mountaine Aetna at whose top there are as it were two furnaces with tunnels out of which ascend continually flames of fire throwing out sometimes such store of ashes and peeces of stones that it doth greatly indaunger the Townes for many myles there about This is the mountaine where the Poet faineth to bee the shop of Vulcan where the Cyclops did frame Thunder-boults for Iupiter This is the mountain into whose vast gaping mouth Empedocles did cast himselfe And this is the mountaine where some of the irreligious Hereticall and besotted Papists imagine to be Purgatorie The chiefe citie of this I le is now Palermo before time Siracusa in which liued Archimedes that famous Engine maker of the world who as it is written of him would by burning Glasses set Shippes on fire sayling in the Sea Belonging to this are other called the Vulcanian Ilands This Scicilie is now subiect vnto the King of Spayne MALTA 6 MAlta is most famous for the farre-famed order of Malta the Knights of Ierusalem who haue oftentimes repelled and put to flight great armies of the Turkes which haue besieged it This is the Countrey where Saint Paule beeing cast vp after his shipwracke had a Viper hanging on his hand and did him no hurt The chiefe Citie is Malta wherein the Women are beautifull but hate company neuer going abroad vnlesse they be couered CORCYCA 7 COrcyca is an Iland flourishing with Wine and Oyle In it is also great store of Wilde fowle Corcyca and Beastes wherewith the inhabitants doe very much with pleasure and pastime in chasing them recreate themselues The chiefe Citie in it is called Corfu wherein both men and women are excellent Swimmers This I le is subiect vnto the Seigniorie of Venice who doth defend it very well from the Turke ISCHIA 8 ISchia the chiefe of 18. Ilands lying in the Gulfe of Ischia Naples begirt round with rockes and high mountaines hath in it great store of Hares Conies and other wilde beasts The chiefe Citie is Ischia which in the yeare 1301. was like to be burned with a fire that did runne along in the earth by reason of the vaines of Brimstone In this Ile it is also reported that there is a Fountaine neere vnto the Promontory of Saint Angel which is so hotte that it will in a short time boyle any flesh or fish that is put into it ZAZINTHVS 9 ZAzinthus is a land where English Merchants doe Zazinthus very much trafficke for the extraordinary store of Currants which are there In this I le the inhabitants do speake Greeke and are subiect vnto the Venetians CANDIA 10 CAndie is an Iland famosed by the intricate Laboborinth Creete which was in it built by Dedalus and which Theseus entred and killed the Minataurs which were kept in it by the helpe of Ariadne who gaue him a bottome of threed to guide him In this I le there is very much Suger-Candie Muscadine in such plentie that there is yearely transported into other countries 12000. Buts The Inhabitants of this place doe not affect labour neuer vsing any manfull exercise but giuen vnto many vices especially lying of which the Prouerbe Cretense Mendarium Cretisandum est cum Cretensibus And Epiminides the heathen Poet noteth of them that they are alwayes great lyers dull beasts and slow bellies The chiefe citie of it is Candie inhabited much with the Venetians Of the Ilands in the Aegean Sea 1 THe Ilands in the Aegean Sea are all subiect vnto the tyrannicall Turke and are diuided either into the Cyclades which are fiftie in number lying towards the South or into the Sporades which are very many lying towards the North. 2 Of the Cyclades little can be spoken only that in the Cyclades Iland Delos stood the famous Oracle of Apollo by so many writers made mention of And that in Ithaca valiant Vlisses was borne SPORADES 3 THe Sporades are many whereof the chiefe are first Sporades Euboia at whose bankes the Sea doth ebbe flow seuen times in a day which Aristotle on a time viewing and being not able to giue a naturall reason for it desperately threw himself into it The next is Sciros the countrey of Achilles Then Chios the
Riuers of these Prouinces are three the first of which is Rhene mentioned before in Riuers Germanie the next it Schald which washeth the bancks of Antwerpe the last is Meuse vpon whose shore is scituated Luicke 20 This Country famous for wars is in part gouerned Gouernmēt by manie whom they call States of the lowe Countries But the Arche-duke of Austria wageth warre continuallie with them to bring it vnder his Dominion claiming and laying Title vnto it OF DENMARKE DEnmarke is enuironed round with the maine Ocean Limites vnlesse it be on the South where it is ioyned vnto Germanie 2 This Kingdome doth abound in goodly Horses Qualitie and in such store of cattell that there are yearely carried into Germanie 50000. Oxen. There is also such infinite abundance of herring neare vnto the I le Scania that the ships are scarce able by maine strength of Owers to rowe out of the Harbour the fish lying so thicke that their quantitie is supposed to surpasse the water it selfe Ortel Inhabitāts 3 The Inhabitāts of this country are very valiāt both at land and Sea in their Religion they are all Lutherans 4 The Prouinces of this Kingdome are almost all Prouinces Ilands amōg which the chiefe are first Sealand in which is Coppenhagen the chiefe seate of the King and an Vniuersitie in it is also Roschilt where the Kings are still intoombed The second is Loilant in which there growe so many Hazell-nuts that shippes are loaded there with them The third is Fimera in which Ticho Brahe built a Castle by Arte to the wonder of euery body that hath euer seene it In the Continent are containd two other Prouinces Iugtland and Holsten in which is Meldrope the inhabitants of which are so riche that they couer their houses with copper Magin 5 In this Countrie is also a straight Sea passing betweene some of the Ilands called the Sound which by Sound reason of the Imposts and Customs of the Ships which passe that way yeeldeth great gaine and profite vnto the King 6 The Gouernment of this Kingdome is vnder one Gouernmēt sole Prince who is called the King of Denmarke OF ITALIE ITalie called by Merula a Terrestriall Paradice The Boundes Phoenix of this Massie round the earths riche Ornament the Garden of the Muses is garded on the East with the Adriaticke Seas on the South with Mare Mediterraneum on the West with the Terrhene or Ocean and on the North with the Alpes which separateth it from Germanie it is like vnto a mans legge reaching in length from Augusta Pretoria vnto Otranto which is 1010. miles and is in breadth in the brodest place 420. miles 2 To set downe the fruitfulnes of this riche Region it may be as well declared in a line as in a leafe for there Qualitie is of all things such plentie as there is not of any thing any scarcitie 3 The people of this Nation are verie graue frugall wittie excelling both in vertue and vices which are in Inhabitants lust monstrous in hate implacable in their conuersation most deceitfull which had rather bestowe any thing vpon others then vpon themselues do more oftener blaspheme then sweare And will rather kill a man then giue him a disgracefull tearme or word 4 This Kingdome is diuided into many Prouinces whereof the chiefe and most famous are fiue Prouinces 5 The first is the Kingdome of Naples which is greater then any of the rest full of Nobilitie and abounding Naples with all things necessary for mans vse The chiefe citie of it is Naples lying vpon the Terrhenean Sea 6 The second is the Romane Territorie a Prouince richly furnished with all prouisions in which is scituated Roma the Cittie of Rome once called the Empresse of the world as well for the beautie and Magnificence of the Citie as for the Learning and fortitude of the Citizens but now it is much ruinated true Religion and vertue cleane decayed The Gouernour of it beeing the Pope that proud prelate persecutor of all true pietie and zealous professours 7 The third Prouince is Lumbardie comprehending Lumbardie vnder it is the Dukedom of Millaine which doth excell for beautie all the rest hauing in it many faire Riuers pleasant Lakes the chiefe Citie of which is Millaine whose buildings are to be admired for their extraordinarie sumptuousnes In this Prouince is also the great Lake de Como which is 60. miles in lēgth vpon whose bankes stands the citie Como in fashion like vnto a Crab whose two feete couet the water In this Citie the two Plinies had their beginning whose Fame by reason of their great learning shall neuer haue ending Ortelius 8 The fourth Prouince is Tuscanie little inferior vnto Tuscanie the rest in any thing the chiefe Citie of which is Florence whose inhabitants since the time of Macheuill which was their Recorder are most politicke and subtill amounting vnto the number of 80. thousand persons 9 The fift and last is the Signorie of Venice a free Venice State and the most famous of any in Christendome gouerned by a Prince of great Maiestie yet both hee and his authorite subiected vnto the Lawes This Citie with the Apendices vnto it is the richest best prouided with munition of any Citie in Italie as is confest in this particular cēsure of each Prouince before spoken that Naples excells for Nobilite Rome for Clergie Millaine for beautie Florence for policie but Venice for riches 10 There is is another prouince somewhat famous called Verona in which is the mountaine Baldo where all professors of Phisicke doe resort to gather diuerse sortes of pretious Hearbes And in which there is a citie called Negarino wherin is a stone in forme like vnto a womans dugge which doth continually distill a water whose vertuous operation causeth a womans Milke to returne into her brests when she hath lost it 11 The chiefest riuers of these prouinces are first Padus neer vnto which stands Patauine that noble Vniuersitie Riuers the next is Athesis adioyning vnto which is Trent where a Councell was helde vnder Paul the third in the yeare 1546. the next is Tiber that runneth through the Citie of Rome which when it doth ouerflowe the banks doth betoken some ill fortune which shall befall the Citie the last is the riuer Poe neere vnto which stands Cremona a Citie of great note 12 In this Italie which was in time past one intier Gouernement Gouernment are nowe many absolute States and Princedomes by the great Pollicie of the Pope who thought it the best way to make himselfe great by weakening the Empire OF ILLIRIA ILliria is limited on the West with the Adriaticke Sea on the North with the riuer Sauus on the East with Limits the riuer Drinus No certaine limits can be giuen of this countrie For all Geographers that write doe disagree about it 2 The people of this land as
Countrey of the great Physitian Hypocrates And the last of any note is Pathmos the Iland where Saint Iohn liued in banishment and in which there is a dead hand the nailes of it still growing which as the Grecians say was the hand of Saint Iohn But the Turkes affirme it to be the hand of one of their Prophets CHAP. V. Of Africa HItherto haue I remained within the cōfines of Europe now succeedeth Africa 1 Africa so called in Greeke of a Bounds phrica a place without coldnesse is limited on the West with the Atlanticke Ocean on the North with Mare Mediterraneum and on the South with the Aethyopicke waues and on the East with the Red Sea 2 This great part of the world is for the most part Qualitie full of Desarts very dry and sandy hauing few Riuers which is a great occasion that some parts are not habitable It is also full of all strange beastes as Elephants Lions Leopards Hyppopotomos Crocadiles and such like which caused this saying of Plinie Africa aliquid semper opportat Noui. 3 The inhabitants of it are generally very blacke of Inhabitāts countenance rude barbarous and of vnciuil behauiour addicted to all sorts of religion of Gentiles Iewes Turkes Christians and such like 4 The famous Riuers of this part are first Nilus which Riuers springeth out of the Mountaines of the Moone as Ptollomie affirmes but as Heroditus sayes out of a Lake called Strabo The other riuers are Niger Fluuius Senega Cambra Naire Cuama and Spiritus sancti There is another Mountaine in Africa called the Mountaine Atlas from whence as Hondius writeth in his Mappes most of the Riuers haue their beginning The chiefe parts of Africa are seuen Barbarie vnder Diuision which is comprehended Mauritania Tingitana and Caesariensis Ptolamt Numedia or Benedulgerid Libia or Sarra Terra Nigritarum Aethtopia superior or the kingdome of the Abisines Aethiopia inferior and Aegypt OF BARBARIE 1 BArbarie is enuironed on the West with the Atlanlanticke Bounds Sea on the North with Mare Mediterraneum on the South with the great Mountaine Atlas and on the East with Aegypt 2 This Region doth abound with Oranges Dates Qualitis Oliues Figges and a certain kind of Goate whose haire doth make a stuffe as fine as silke 3 The inhabitants of this countrey are very faithfull Inhabitants in their promises ambitious greedy of wealth and most iealous of their wiues 4 The chiefe Prouinces of this great kingdome are Prouinces Morocco Fez Tremisen Tunis Barca Marmarica 5 Morocco wherin the chiefe citie is Morocco the people of which doth alwaies keepe their beards shaued before they be married There is also in this Prouince the mountaine Halemo in which there is so much gold that the inhabitants are at continuall strife for it 6 The next Prouince is Fez the chiefe Metropolitan citie of which is called Fez beeing of a wonderfull greatnes hauing in it 700. churches one among the rest being of a mile halfe in compasse In this citie are also two Colledges wherein liue many Schollers 7 The next prouince is Tremisen whose Metropolitan citie is Tremisen in it is also Algera a great receptacle for Pirats 8 The next is Tunis in which is Bona where S. Agustine was Bishop and Hippo where he was borne The chiefe and Metropolitan city is Tunis not farre from the ruines of old Carthage 9 The last Prouince is Barca Marmarica full of great sandy places and in which Ilands is the Temple of Iupiter Hammon 10 This Kingdome of Barbarie is a distracted gouernment Gouernment Fez and Morocco being vnder the Xeriffe and the other Prouinces vnder the Turkes OF NVMIDIA 1 NVmidia is bounded on the West with Mare Atlanticum Bounds on the North with the Mountaine Atlas on the East with Aegypt and on the South with the Desarts of Libia 2 This countrey hath in it great plenty of Dates and Qualitie the ayre is so holesome that it admitteth neither Poxe nor Plague in it but cureth any one that hath it 3 The inhabitants are oftentimes blinded by reason Inhabitants of the vnreasonable store of sand which is there much of it being carried and blowed with the winde They are also much addicted vnto Poetry 4 The gouernment of this Region is not vnder any Gouernment sole King but subiect vnto many free Gouernors Of Libia or Sarra 1 LIbia is limited on the West with Gualata on the East Bounds with Gaoga on the North with Numidia and on the South with the kingdome of the Negroes 2 The inhabitants of this countrey are base minded Inhabitants ill nurturde and great theeues they liue not subiect vnto any lawes In this place were two of the Sybils who prophesied of the comming of Christ 3 This kingdome is ful of Desarts of which the chief are Zanaga Zueziga Tarsa Lempia and Berdoa Of the Kingdome of the Nigers 1 THe Kingdome of the Nigers is bounded on the Bounds West with the Atlanticke Sea on the East with the Kingdome of the Abissines on the South with Manicongo and on the North with Libia 2 The inhabitants of this Countrey are most barbarous Inhabitants people Gentiles and free from the Plague or Poxe 3 In this great and large kingdome there are twentie Prouinces fiue Prouinces among which these things are chiefly to be noted First is the Riuer Niger which with a great invndation encreasing from the 15. of Iune vntill 40. daies after doth ouerflow a great part of the land and in the like time it doth decrease againe The next is the kingdome of Canaga wherein the King hath no certaine reuenewes but onely what his Nobles giue him The next is Tombutum where the king doth entertain a great company of learned men and where inhabitants doe spend their time in dauncing and singing The last is Bornaum where the people haue neither proper names children nor wiues 4 This great Kingdome of the Nigers is gouerned by foure Kings the King of Tombutum Bornum Goaga and Gouernment the King of Gualatum Of the Kingdome of the Abissines 1 THe Kingdome of the Abissines is limited on the North with Aegypt on the South with the Mountaines Bounds of the Moone on the East with the Red Sea and on the West with Manicongo and the Kingdome of the Nigers 2 This countrey is chiefly inricht with Oranges Lemons Qualitie and Citrens which grow of themselues There is also great store of Barley Suger and Hony 3 The inhabitants of this Nation are generally vnlearned Inhabitants base idle the better sort of them attyring themselues in the skinnes of Lions Tigres and Linces They feare a Smith as much as a Diuell and at meate neuer vse a table cloth nor napkin They alwayes in any matter sweare by the life of the King whome they neuer see but thrise in a yeare which is on Christmas Easter and Holy-Rood day They
it bee Horses The chiefe Citie in it is Bisnagar in which the people when they dye are burned and if they were marryed their wiues doe come and leape into the fire willing to dye with them 11 The last is the Kingdome of Delly in which the Delly chiefe and Metropolitane Citie is Delly where the great Mogor doth alwayes keepe his Court. 12 The gouernment of all these Kingdomes are vnder Gouernment the great Mogor vnlesse it be Narsinga and Calicute which haue free Princes Of India without Ganges 13 INdia extra Gangem is limited on the West with Sinus Limits Bengala and the Riuer Ganges on the South with the maine Sea on the East with part of China and the East Sea and on the North with part of the Mountaine Taurus 14 The chiefe Prouinces of this part of the Indies are Prouinces three Pegu Siam and Chauchin china 15 In Pegu there are most beautifull Parrats and great Pegu. store of ciuet Cats The chiefe city is Pegu. 16 In Siam there are many Schooles the inhabitants Siam whereof are great Idolaters worshipping the higher Elements And when any one dyeth with them they will not bury them in the earth but hang them vp in the aire rather wishing the Birdes which are heauenly to eate them then the worms which are earthly to touch them In this Prouince is also Comboia the people of which do thinke themselues and all other men to bee of the same nature that brute beasts are Hondius 17 In Chauchinchina there is great store of gold siluer and Purceline of which the Purceline dishes are made Chauchinchina The inhabitants in many places of this countrey are Anthropophagi or men eaters 18 This part of the Indies was once gouerned by the King of Paga and Siam but now is brought in subiection Gouernment vnto one sole King who is King of Barma keeping his Court in the Citie of Odia in which are contained 200000. Citizens OF CHINA 1 CHina is bounded on the West with India and the riuer Cautan on the South with Chauchinchina on Limits the East with the East Ocean and on the North with a wall of 600. miles in length which defends it from the inuasion of the Tartares 2 This Kingdome is not onely held to bee the chiefe of all Asia but of al the world being so fertil that it doth Qualitie both yeeld what is fitting for humane life and whatsoeuer the delicate and effeminate appetite of man may lust after 3 The inhabitants of it are very witty politicke great Inhabitants Mathematicians conceiuing so well of themselues that they are accustomed to say that themselues haue two eies the people of Europe one the residue of the other Nations none 4 Vnder this great kingdome are comprehended 15. Prouinces the least of which exceeds in largenesse the greatest in Europe and in them are contained 70. Kinges which are all subiect vnto the King of China The inhabitants are so many also that they exceede the number of 70000000. And the cities and townes stand so thicke that the whole kingdome seemeth as one mighty citie 5 The chiefe thinges which are to bee obserued in these Prouinces are first that there are some of the inhabitants which dwell in houses vpon the Sea buying selling and keeping market as they doe in any towne And in many plaines they haue houses running vpon wheels with sayles at the top of them that when they will go vnto any place they tarry onely for a winde to driue them There is also in this Kingdome the great City of Quinzay whose circuit is 100. miles hauing in it 1600000. inhabitants and 12000. stone bridges among which there are some so high that a great Shippe with top-saile may passe vnder them In the middle of this Citie there is a Lake thirtie miles in compasse in which there are two goodly Ilands Some put this Citie in Tartarie some in China others in the confines of both but wheresoeuer it is it is much ruinated since the time of Paulus Venetius who maketh a full description of it 6 This great kingdome is gouerned by one sole king Gouernment who is called of his subiects the Lord of the world the sonne of the shining Sunne CHAP. VIII Of the Ilands in Asia THus farre haue I rashly run ouer the Continent of Asia now therefore will I linke vnto it the description of the Ilands belonging thereunto 1 The Asian Ilands are diuided into those in the Mediterranean Sea and those which are in the Indian Ocean Of the Ilands in the Mediterranean Sea 2 THe chiefe Ilands in the Mediterranean Sea are only Diuision two Rodes and Cyprus 3 The Iland Rodes is very famous for many things Rodes but chiefly for three The first is that the Sunne was neuer so maskt with a cloud but that once in a day shee did shine vpon this Iland The second is that the great piller of the Sunne offered by the Gentiles vnto Iupiter stood in this I le made in the forme of a mighty huge man The third last is that the order of the Knights of the Rodes was held in this place 13 The Iland Cyprus is very fuitfull but little famous Cyprus De Insulis In Mari Indico 5 THe chiefe Ilands in the Indian Ocean are Ormus Diuision Zeilan Samatra Aureae Iusulae Borneo Iaua Maior Iaua Minor Iapan the Molucco and the Philippian Ilands 6 Ormus is of it selfe a kingdome and commaundeth Ormus most part of the Persian gulfe it is exceeding barren but the Citie Ormus in which the Portugals doe hold a strong Castle is so faire and full of trade that they say there if the world were a ring Ormus ought to bee the stone thereof 7 The Ile Zeilan is seated in Sinus Bengala in which Zeilan there are Fieldes whose grasse continually groweth and Trees that are laden with fruit all the yeare long Insomuch that some did thinke that this was the place where Paradise stood This Iland is subiect vnto the Mogor notwithstanding the Portugalls doe hold a strong Castle in it 8 The Iland Samatra lyeth directly vnder the Aequator Samatra hauing in it a Fountaine which sendeth foorth water that if it bee put into fire doth not quench it but makes it burne more vehemently In it is also a Mountaine which sendeth foorth continuall flames of fire The inhabitants of this Iland are Anthropophagi 9 In Iaua Maior the inhabitants are excellent Seamen Iaua Maior great Pirats which acknowledge Mahumet and liue vpon Cats and Mise Yet this Iland for the extraordinarie fruitfulnesse of it was called by Scaliger the Compendium of the world 10 In Iaua Minor little is worth the noting onely that Iaua Minor it doth flourish with Spices 11 In the Iland Iapan the inhabitants are very superstitious Iapan and great Idolaters washing their children so soone as they bee borne
in Riuers They will neuer also come into the roomes where they dine or eate any thing with their shooes on their feete but keepe the places as they tearme it hallowed This Iland hath very much golde in it insomuch that Paule Venetus doth affirme that in his time the Kings Palace was couered with gold 12 The Moluccoe Ilands are famous for the great Moluccoes plenty of spices which are in them There is also in these Isles a Bird called Monicodiata which hath no feete continually flying without intermission The female of this Bird doth lay her egges when shee breedes in a hole which is in the backe of the Male like vnto a nest these are neuer taken before they dye and fall vpon the earth The inhabitants of these Ilands go naked and are great Idolaters 13 The Philippian Ilands lye North of the Moluccoes Philippians the ayre being very temperate bringeth forth all kind of Spices CHAP. IX De America siue India Orientali HAuing discourst of three parts of the world Europe Africa and Asia I will now venter on the last greatest part which is America 1 America is inuironed on the East with the maine Ocean on the South Limits with the Straights of Magelane on the West with Mare Del Zur or Pacificum and on the north with the vnknowne Land 2 This part of the world was first discried by Christopher Columbus in the yeare 1492. and then after that made better knowne by Americus Vesputius of whome it is called vnto this day America 3 The fruitfulnesse of this soyle is to be admired for Qualitie in it are wonderfull store of Spices Birdes and Fishes There is also gold in such plenty that the Spaniards haue reported they haue digged in some places more Golde then earth The chiefest want in this part are Horses of which they haue few or none and which was the occasion that when the Spaniards brought Horses in the battell against them they fell down astonished thinking that when the horses neighed they had spoken vnto them 4 The inhabitants of this mighty Territory are most Inhabitants barbarous being in some places men eaters they are altogether ignorant and vnlearned which was the cheiefe cause that they conceited themselues when any one of the Spaniards did read a letter the Diuel told him the cōtents They are ignorant of the vse of yron and estimate glasse aboue gold To conclude they are excellent runners and swimmers 5 This fourth part of the world is chiefly vnder the Gouernment King of Spaine and is diuided first into two parts Mexicana and Peruana afterwards subdiuided as followeth DE MEXICANA 1 MExicana is limited on the east with Mare Del Norte Limits on the West with Mare Del Zur on the South with an Istmus betwixt Peruana and it and on the North with the vnknowne land 2 In this part of America are many Prouinces the Prouinces chief of which are Quiuira Mexicana Nicaragua Iucatan Florida Virginia Norumbega Noua Francia Terra Cortealis and Estotiland 3 The Prouince of Quiuira extendeth it selfe vnto Sinus Quiuira Califormia being a most dry and barren ground 4 The Prouince of Mexicana was first found out by Mexicana Ferdinando Cortesius in the yeare 1518. There are in this place many Riuers in which breede great store of Crocadiles whose bodies the inhabitants doe eate There are also many mines of golde And there is a mountaine called Popochampeche which doth continually vomit forth flames of fire The chiefe and Metropolitane citie of this Prouince or of whole America is Mexico in which the Prorex for Spaine doth lie and in which there is both money coyned and bookes printed 5 The next is Nicaragua wherin is a great lake which Nicaragua hath no entercourse with the Sea and yet doth ebbe flow as the Sea doth The people in this place are more manlike then others both in behauiour and shape 6 In Iucatan Chersonesus the chiefe citie is Guatimala Iucatan where another Vice-Roy for Spaine doth lye The inhabitants of this Countrey did adore the Crosse before Cortez comming 7 Terra Florida so called of the French who first Terra Florida founded it hath in it many Prouinces whereof Panuca is one in which the people are very warlike but butcherously minded killing all the captiues they take and eating them Furthermore they neuer marry vntil they be 40. yeares of age and liue most vpon Serpents worms There is another place in this Prouince called Alberdosia wherin the women let their children sucke vntil they be 12. yeares of age 8 Virginia so nominated of our late Queene was first Virginia found out by Sir Walter Rawleigh who gaue it that name Of this Countrey what may be spoken more at large see the discourse of Master Harriot and Master Hackant 9 Norumbega so called of certaine fishes which are Norumbega in it of that name The chiefe Citie of it is Norumbega 10 Noua Frauncia lyeth neere vnto that great Sinus of Noua Francia Saint Laurence It was discouered and taken first of the French men vnder Frauncis the first of France The inhabitants of this Prouince haue little boats made of leather which they vse to fish in when they haue done to take them vp at their backe and carry them away 11 Terra Cortealis is little famous vnlesse it be for a riuer Terra Cortealis there which is called the three brothers 12 Estotiland was first found out by Anthony Zenus a Estotiland Venetian neere vnto which lyeth Fretum Dauis where they haue sought oftentimes for a passage vnto the Moluccoes China but it could not be effected Not far from this lyeth Newfound-land frō whence commeth most of our fish And in the North part lyeth a land called by Sir Frauncis Drake Noua Albion of which nothing can bee certainely spoken 13 Thus farre of the Prouinces of Mexicana now followeth the description of Peruana De Peruana PEruana is in euery place inuironed with the Sea vnlesse Limits it be towards the North where it is ioyned vnto Mexicana by a little Istmus 2 This part of America doth chiefly flourish with gold Qualitie pretious stones Spices Suger strange hearbs among which is that hearbe Tobaco which is so much and idely vsed amongst vs. 3 The inhabitants of this place are generally cruell Inuentions rude barbarous and men eaters not vnlike vnto those of Mexicana They go naked and if they take any man captiue they slice his body out into collops and broile it vpon the coales making mery so long as that indures them They are towards the South part mighty great men being all Idolaters worshipping the Diuell or some monstrous mishapen Idole 4 The chiefe Riuer of this Southerne part of America Riuers are three the Riuer Amazon Maragon and the golden Riuer Rio or de la Plate in which there is found much gold and
kingdom is subiect vnto the crowne of Denmarke Gouernment OF SWEVIA OR SWEDEN 10 SWeuia is limited on the West with the Dofrine Mountaines Limites and on the other parts with the Sea vnles it be where it is ioyned vnto Moscouia by a little Istmus 11 This Kingdome is so fertill and fruitefull that it is Qualitie by some tearmed a most heauenly Land abounding in so much prouision that it is a hard thing to see a begger amongst them They digge pure Siluer out of the earth they haue great store of Wolues which passing ouer a straite in the Sea are with the extremity of cold blinded 12 The Inhabitants of this Region are agreeable Inhabitāts much in disposition quality vnto the Noruegians they liue very long for it is no maruel with them to see one an hundred and fortie yeares of age 13 The chiefe Citie is Stockholme or Holoia in which Citie the King doth alwayes keepe his Court. 14 The Prouinces of most note are first Goteland quasi Prouinces Good land the next is Finneland quasi Fineland in both which is plenty almost of all things the other prouinces are Bodia Scrikfinnia Biarmia the inhabitants of which are much addicted vnto withcraft 15 This Kingdome of Sweuia is subiect onely vnto one Gouernment King whom they call the Duke of Sweuia OF RVSSIA OR MOSCOVIA 1 RVssia is part in Europe and part in Asia limited on Limits the West with Liuonia and Scandia on the North with Mare Glaciale or the Frozen Ocean on the east with the Riuer Oby the Lake of Kataio and Tartarie and on the South with Lituania 2 The riches of this Empire wherein it chiefly excels Qualitie are most rich Furres as Sables Martins white Foxe such like It hath also in it much corne fruits and cattel The ayre in these parts is so cold in the Winter and the frosts so great that if a man cast vp water into the ayre it wil freeze before it fall downe many times it is so vehement that if any man go abroad he shal be almost stifled through the condensating of his breath 3 The inhabitants of this Countrey are very barborous Inhabitants perfidious contentious and most prone vnto any contumelious behauiour They are altogether ignorant and vnlearned which is the occasion that they say God and their Emperour knoweth all things The baser sort of people do alwayes breake the Sabboth saying that it is onely for Gentlemen to celebrate that day They are also very superstitious hauing many foolish ceremonies absurd solemnities as the consecrating of riuers once in a yere the burying of their dead with a paire of shooes on their feet and a staffe in one hand signifying a great iourney which they haue to goe a letter in the other vnto S. Nicholas for their readier admission into heauē 4 The chiefe and most noted places of this mightie Region are first Mosco the Metropolitan citie in which the Emperour doth continually keep his Court The next is Pernia in which they eate the flesh of Stagges in stead of bread And the last is Rhezan in which there is such plenty of graine that the eares of corne do grow so thicke together that no horse can beate it downe nor Larke or Quaile passe through it 5 The most famous riuers are first Duina quasi twagna Riuers called so of two riuers which meet together The next is Boristines or Neiper and the last is Tanais 6 This large Empire is onely subiect to the Emperor Gouernment of it CHAP. IIII. Of the European Ilands 1 HItherto haue I wandred al about the great continent of Europe now folthe Ilands belonging thereunto 2 The European Ilands are diuided into three parts into those which are in the Westerne Ocean into those which are in the Mediterranean Sea and into those which are contained within the Archipellago or Mare Aegaeum 3 The chiefe Ilands which are contained in the west Ocean are seuen Grocland Groinland Island Freesland Ireland Great Britaine and the Azores 4 Grocland is an Iland which few Geographers mention Grocland and therfore no certaintie can be spoken of it 5 Groinland quasi Greeneland is a Country wherein Groinland there are great store of Cattell which causeth Butter and Cheese to be very plentifull in it the inhabitants are for the most part witches dwelling in Caues and Dennes OF ISLAND 6 ISland is an Iland very barrē of graine hauing no Trees Island in it vnlesse it be Byrch and Iuniper From this Iland commeth the best Ling called of vs Island Ling. In this countrie is also a mountaine called Heckleforte alwayes vomiting forth flames of fire the inhabitants of which doe conceit thereof a most peeuish and erroneous opinion that it is Purgatorie This Iland as Ortelius affirms is vnder the king of Denmarke but others make it subiect vnto the Swedian Crowne OF FRISLAND 7 FRislande doth abound with very great store of fish and Frisland was wont by reason of the oftē sayling thither of English to be called the westerne England this Iland is vnder the crowne of Denmarke OF IRELAND 8 IReland is a verie watrish countrey and full of boggs yet Ireland seated in a most temperate and pleasant ayre admitting no venemous thing in it it doth most abounde in horses and cattell The inhabitants of this Kingdome are for the most part very beautifull actiue somewhat superstitious affecting nothing so much as slothfulnes Magi. The chiefe citie is Dubline wherin there is an vniuersity The most noted things of this I le are first the Lake Erno now famous for her past infamie in which you may see the toppes of houses and churches The next is the Lake of Armach into which if a long Staffe be thrust downe vnto the bottome that parte which is in the water will turne into a whetstone and that part which is in the mudde into Iron Magin The Hybrides belong vnto this Iland beeing in number 44. the inhabitants of which are called Redshankes This Region belongeth vnto the Crowne of England by whom it is kept in good subiection OF GREAT BRITTANIE 9 BRIttaine is diuided into 2. partes England Scotland Brittaine England is separated from Scotland by the Riuer Tweede and the Riuer Solway This rich Diamond set in the ring of the world nurce of the most valiant wise and victorious men doth almost with all things flourish But especiallie with such things as this verse that followeth sheweth Anglia Mons Pons Fons Ecclesia Foemina Laua This part of the I le was cōmonly in the time of King HENRY the third Puteus inexhaustus a well that neuer would be drawne drie is now tearmed by the French a Paradise for wiues a Purgatorie for Seruants and a Hell for Horses Scotland lyeth in the North part of this Iland the Inhabitants of which are very warlike The chiefe Citie is